(Above)
This book
chapter, co-written with M.A. Evans and R.I. Campbell reports on
research to enhance communication during product development by making
tacit knowledge on the use of design representations explicit for both
students and practitioners. This was achieved through the development of
two design tools called CoLab and iD Cards. The report concludes that
the use of appropriate research methods that integrate literature based
sources with practitioner engagement has the potential to elicit
valuable and unexpected tacit knowledge that can contribute to student
learning. It also acknowledges that whilst the outcomes from such
research can be enthusiastically received, translation into a format for
effective dissemination can be a challenging and time-consuming process.
However, with confidence in outcomes and a desire to disseminate,
opportunities can be identified if researchers are prepared to be
flexible and adapt to stakeholder needs.

(Above) Through market analysis, I identified
that there was an opportunity to use bio-composites from rice husks to
be reconstituted for 3D printing. Through a university Knowledge
Transfer Programme, I was provided financial support to collaborate with
an Winrigo and L'Earth to create a brief to develop a range of 3D
printing filament products. Working closely with their team of polymer
scientists, retail experts and polymer extrusion specialists, the
Mat-Kit series of filament products was created in 2014 and launched in
2015, offering a range of high quality materials with excellent
stability and incredible value for money. I played a key role in the
design of the packaging by suggesting a number of innovative features
such as the honeycomb structure for visual impact, and a cut-out window
to identify the type of filament inside. This product won the
international World Star 2014 Award for excellence in packaging.

(Above) This tram was built in 1904 by Dick Kerr
and Co. of Preston. The top deck was originally open, leaving passengers
to face bad weather. Top deck covers were later added to all open top
trams in Leicester between 1913 and the 1920s. Further changes were made
in the 1930s when the tram was fully enclosed to modernise. The stairs
were reversed, which blocked the driver’s vision of traffic over his
left shoulder. One of the steps was made with holes to allow the driver
to get a better view. To prevent the conductor from using this feature
to view ladies’ ankles which was a serious offence, a ‘decency flap’ was
provided to cover the holes when not in use. Leicester 76 was withdrawn
from service in 1947 and now resides in the National Tramway Museum in
Crich, Derbyshire. Due to the historical links with this tram and the
city of Leicester, the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust wanted to
produce a digital blueprint. I was commissioned by them to lead 3
researchers to digitally rebuild the entire tram and the 24 month
project was completed in December 2014. A 3D printed 1:22.5 scaled model
has been produced and is undergoing assembly stages. Principle
Investigator: E. Pei

(Above) Achieving polymer deposition on textiles
requires an understanding of material properties, adhesion,
compatibility and deposition techniques. As the Principal Investigator,
I had control over the research budget and expertise of material
scientists and polymer experts. Working closely with experts and a
postgraduate student, we systematically conducted numerous trials and
recorded the results that has now been accepted for a journal paper.
This experiment contributed to new knowledge and extended our
understanding on how polymers could be directly printed onto fabrics
using 3D printers. The findings support future work on wearable
electronics and the production of customised medical products such as
orthopaedic braces. The experiments show that PLA, Nylon and ABS adhered
very well when printed onto Polywool, Cotton and Soy-based fabrics.
Functional parts such as fasteners and articulated features were
designed and printed onto the fabrics, paving way for functional use.

(Above) This research was to investigate the use
of mechanical and chemical finishing methods for Alumide, Nylon and ABS
parts produced from Laser Sintering and Fused Deposition Modelling. The
sides of the test pieces were designed with different planar surfaces
that demonstrate the stair-step effect with different build angles;
truncated conical features to investigate whether smaller details will
deflect or break during CNC machining; protruding prismatic features to
examine the result of tumbling; and blind holes to determine whether
processes such as spray painting will fill cavities. The pieces were
post processed through tumbling, shot peening, hand finishing, CNC
machining, spray painting and chemical treatment. A touch probe scanner
quantitatively assessed the dimensional accuracy of the post processed
parts and the results graphically represented for comparative studies.
Principle Investigator: E. Pei

(Above) The Sound Sphere is a physical
representation of recorded sound. The surface is covered in ridges,
which run around it laterally. Each of these ridges represent a set of
frequencies within the sound, with low frequency at the bottom of the
sphere (the bass); and high frequency at the top (the treble). The
closer a ridge is to the north pole, the higher a band of frequencies it
represents. Following these ridges laterally around the sphere is equal
to observing the signal change over time (measure of time); and finally,
the extent to which the ridge protrudes from the sphere represents the
sound intensity at any given moment (the volume) - the more the ridge
protrudes, the louder the sound is in that frequency at that given time.
The Sound Sphere is being exhibited at the De Montfort University
Fletcher Building foyer; was showcased at the university's Frontrunners
evening; and featured in De Montfort University News and the Eureka
magazine. Principle Investigator: E. Pei

// Samian Wares // De Montfort University, 2013;
with S. Manoj

(Above) We were commissioned by the Leicester
Arts and Museums Service to digitise decorated Samian Ware pieces (terra
sigillata, fine red ancient roman pottery) dating from
between 50BC to 3rd century AD and to reproduce these as replicas that
could potentially improve the museum experience of partially sighted
visitors through touch. The aim was also to examine the quality of the reproduced
artefacts using SLA. The first image image is the digitised scan showing
clear details, while the original piece is on the right and the
reproduced pieces below. Challenges include non-contact scanning,
capturing the motifs and designs on the relief-decorated ware (hunting
scenes), and to circumnavigate
issues of the reflective glaze-like surface. Principle Investigator: E. Pei

(Above) Commissioned by the Leicester Arts and
Museums Service, we were asked to replicate a 1500 year old rock crystal
faceted spindle whorl that was dug near Lutterworth Road. A spindle
whorl is a disc or spherical object fitted onto the spindle to increase
and maintain the speed of the spin during weaving. Due to the mineral,
initial 3D scans of the crystal were inaccurate. Subsequent fine-tuning
resulted in two geometries - one from the scan data being dimensionally
accurate; and another being geometrically perfect - an intervention
using digital technology 1500 years later. The test pieces and final
replica were fabricated with the use of 3D printing. Challenges include
non-contact scanning and to circumnavigate issues of the reflectivity of
the crystal. The exhibit can be seen at the Jewry Museum in Leicester
today. Principle Investigator: E. Pei

// Shock of the New
// Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, 2010; with Dr Y.
Yin(Above) A review of the literature has found that research on older
consumers in United Kingdom is limited; and data collection has been
obtained mainly from surveys and questionnaires. This study as part of a
research fellowship at the Winchester School of Art (University of
Southampton) aims to investigate issues associated with food shopping
among senior shoppers through the use of observations, interviews and
audio recordings to triangulate the findings. Key problem areas
identified include food being inappropriately placed; poor signage;
over-stacking; and difficulty when using deep trolleys. The study also
found a preference among elderly shoppers to purchase small food
portions. The results from this research confirmed problems that senior
consumers face and highlights the importance for retailers to consider
their special needs. Principle Investigator: Y. Yin

// ErgoCES // Brunel University, 2010; with
Dr H. Dong(Above)
Inclusive design promotes the development of mainstream products,
environments and services that are accessible and desirable to the
widest range of users possible, including groups with specific needs
such as older people and people with disabilities. This research study
as part of a research fellowship at Brunel University reports a
survey of designers with different levels of experience and analyses
issues that affect their uptake of inclusive design. The survey also
gathers evidence on existing tool use and the perceptions of the tools’
strengths and weaknesses, identifying features that designers would
value in inclusive design tools. By understanding their requirements
based on their levels of experience, it is proposed that this approach
should lead to tools that are more attuned to designers’ needs, and as a
result, increase the practical uptake of inclusive design. Principle
Investigator: H. Dong

//
Entry Level RP Machines: How Well Can They Cope With Geometric
Complexity // Vaal University of Technology, 2010; with Professor Deon
de Beer & Dr R.I. Campbell(Above) I was invited as a Research Scientist to examine and assess the
limitations of using Entry Level 3D Printers when fabricating objects
with high complexity. Experiments include models with complex features
with variations in curvature, inter-connected parts, intricate details,
protrusions, holes and deeply recessed undercuts were built on a 3D
Printer. The issues observed include the problem of warping, the need to
manually remove support structures, poor dimensional accuracy and
surface roughness.

// iDCards //
Loughborough University, 2009; with Dr M.A. Evans
(Above) Research findings indicated a need to facilitate greater
understanding between industrial designers and engineering designers.
The ID Cards provide the name, example and description of 32 design
representations used during New Product Development. They indicate when
the representations are most employed and if they communicate design
information or technical information. The cards are grouped into
sketches, drawings, models and prototypes, and 13000 copies are being
distributed globally. The ID Card system was
developed as part of a research program at Loughborough University and
was finalist for the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) IDEA
Competition in 2011. An additional 13,000 cards were reproduced in 2013,
making a total of 26,000 iDCards in circulation. The cards were
shortlisted for the Industrial Designer’s Association of America IDEA
2011 Award and featured in the Loughborough Design School news website.
(ISBN: 978 1 907382 35 2).

// CoLab online // 2009(Above) An interactive CoLab website
was developed as a self-initiated project, translating the physical
CoLab cards into an interactive website. Further funding was secured
from the Royal Academy of Engineering STEM to further enhance the
website at a professional level. The CoLab website can be viewed at
http://www.eujinpei.com/colab/mainpage.htm

// CoLab // Loughborough University, 2009; with Dr R.I Campbell and Dr
M.A. Evans
(Above) The CoLab cards are a result of the PhD degree that aimed
to bridge the gap between industrial designers and engineering designers
by providing more concise information on the role and significance of
design representations. The cards have been commercialised by
Loughborough University and sponsored by the Industrial Designers
Society of America and are now rebranded as IDCards in a
Z-Card format.